TO BE PASSED TODAY AT THE #UNWTO CONFERENCE – THE LUSAKA DECLARATION ON ‘PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AS A TOOL FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN AFRICA‘
(Posted 17th November 2017)
A draft has been presented to the delegates attending the UNWTO Lusaka Conference on Sustainable Tourism and is being considered right now with the aim to finalise the wording towards what will be known in the future as the ‘Lusaka Declaration‘.
The four page document ‘Recalls, Takes into Consideration, Understands, Recognizes, Emphasizes and ultimately Recommends, Encourages and Invites African governments and other regional stakeholders to adopt the essence of the Declaration and where necessary make policy adjustments.
In its conclusion does the paper call upon
The Governments of Africa to undertake relevant efforts to develop sustainable tourism policies that contribute to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDG’s
All tourism stakeholders to work together to promote safe and seamless travel, improve infrastructure and air connectivity with and within the Africa region as well as local community participation along the whole value chain
All tourism stakeholders to recognize the role of tourism in contributing to a greater understanding and respect among civilizations, cultures, religions and thus peace
The Global Donor Community, investors and financial institutions to recognize the potential of tourism to contribute to the 2030 Agenda and to increase investment in sustainable tourism development
The UN System and UNWTO in particular to intensify efforts in advancing tourism as a tool for development with specific focus on the African region and trigger changes in policies, business practices and consumer behaviour on the occasion of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 2017 and beyond.
